Bipolar Today

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People with bipolar disorder are finding that, despite limitations on their ability to work, they are finding themselves unable to claim disability under current IRS rules. Current rules define someone who is disabled as being someone who is, “unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration.” In other words, unless the disability prevents someone from making any money as the result of his or her bipolar disorder, he or she is not considered disabled. This has had serious repercussions for many people. For example, Eugene Dollander, a nurse, left his position because of his bipolar disorder. However, he continued to maintain his family farm and some rental properties, part-time tasks that he had continued to do even while working full-time. After a year, he went back to work. Nonetheless, when she claimed the disability exemption that year, the IRS challenged his claim and won. More discussion can be found on this article here.

Commentary

This case shows the current limitations of definitions of “disability” when it comes to government assistance and tax codes. Unless one is completely unable to work, one is simply not considered disabled. However, many people with bipolar disorder are unable to work full-time. I know several people on disability for bipolar disorder who would like to do as much work as they are able, perhaps a day to a few days per week, but would be penalized or even lose their disability status should they do so. The current definitions have a simplistic understanding of how disability manifests itself: somehow, if you only work two days per week, you must be “faking it” the other three days. However, what people with a disability like bipolar disorder often need is a system that enables them to do as much gainful work as is possible without penalty. This enables people who are bipolar to continue to contribute economically to the society without the ever-present suspicion that the one or two days they work per work shows that they are bilking the society the rest of the week.

Related posts:

1. Childhood Trauma May as Much as Triple Chance of Psychosis, Claims “Schizophrenia Bulletin”
2. The Conditions of Disability: Bipolar Disorder and the “Sick Role”
3. Abandoning Ambition: Coming to Terms With Bipolar Disorder as a Disability
4. Major ECNP Conference Studies Disability, Youth
5. Bipolar Americans Falling Through Insurance Gaps